What we talk about when we talk about choice, challenge – and leadership

Change consultant and writer Deborah Rowland describes a conversation about leadership she had with Ruth Cairnie, chair of Babcock International Group. They talk about the slow progress in gender equality, and what it takes for leaders to succeed. Leaders, Deborah writes, must tap their own unique talent. Deborah, who was adopted at six weeks old, describes her personal history as giving her a detached curiosity that enabled her to help systems see themselves and transform. Self-knowledge helps leaders move from judgment to curiosity, and enables them to lead change well.